Displacements of Multiblock Geotechnical Structures Subjected to Seismic Excitation

A method is presented for calculations of irreversible displacements of multiblock structures subjected to seismic excitation. Use is made of the kinematic approach of limit analysis. To make the analysis tractable a hodograph representing distribution of accelerations in the structure is introduced. Distinction is made between soils conforming to the associative and nonassociative flow rules, and the importance of this distinction is demonstrated. The yield acceleration calculated for slopes comprised of soils conforming to the nonassociative flow rule is lower than that for a soil with the same strength parameters, but its deformation governed by the associative flow rule. Consequently, the displacements predicted for the former are larger. An example of a slope is demonstrated, but the method presented is applicable to other structures, such as retaining walls and embankments.